TOLSTOI SAND FLAT. 543 



bowlder incline is the narrowest part of the sand flat. Here the cows are formed in 

 a solid wedge-shaped mass pointing- to the foot of the slope and extending to within 

 a few yards of it. After a short break occurs a large harem at the immediate foot of 

 the ascent. Up the slope a distance of a hundred yards are small harems at intervals 

 in a direct line with the mass below. ISTo other part of the flat has been invaded by 

 harems. The bowlder beach throughout its length is filled. It would seem as if the 

 seals were endeavoring to avoid the sand and reach the slope, taking the nearest way 

 across the flat. 



The mass of cows is very great, probably numbering as many as 500. There is no 

 differentiation into harems, and the 15 or 20 bulls are rushing about trampling on the 

 cows and knocking them about. A hundred or more pups are podded on the side 

 next us. They are safe from the rushes of the bulls within the mass, but not from the 

 trampling of those hanging on the outskirts trying to steal cows. At a distance of a 

 few yards on all sides are small harems which have been stolen. Cows are landing 

 rapidly, and wet cows are to be seen distributed to the very foot of the slope. It is 

 after the wet cows that the bulls make their rushes. One trampled pup was seen on 

 the edge. It is impossible to see within. Seeing this place at the present time, it is 

 not difficult to understand why the terrific mortality found last year occurs here. It 

 will surely be repeated this year. The remedy is simple. A number of blasts properly 

 distributed over this area would break it up and prevent the formation of the compact 

 mass, allowing the seals to seek the slope, above which is a very favorable rookery 

 ground. 



MR. LUCAS'S NOTES. 



There are a few hundred seals on Zoltoi bluff's; many of these are large, some 

 half bulls and many full-grown bulls. Seals are comparatively few along Gorbatch 

 rookery, the harems being small and scattered. The usual idle bulls are stationed on 

 the cinder slope. There are no harems in the upper part of the slide. The bulls are 

 waiting, among them the one with the scar above his left flipper which was so familiar 

 last year. The harems at the base of the slide are moderately full. In one of 21 

 cows are 13 pups. Old cows are in the majority; but 3 3-year-old cows are to be seen. 

 Two dead pups are seen, one with the placenta attached. Pups are already podding, 

 showing that this occurs soon after birth. Upward of 700 bachelors on the Reef, but 

 many are too large to be killable. 



In the afternoon I visited Tolstoi with Mr. Clark, going down close to the angle 

 of the rookery. To the east on the sand are about 200 seals, at least 100 of which are 

 full-grown bulls. The bulls are surprisingly quiet, for we are able to approach within 

 40 feet. There is a large triangular mass of seals extending from the water very 

 near to the "bloody angle." Other harems extend up the slope in a band. The 

 newly arrived cows are working up through the mass. The bulls try to secure them 

 as they move along, and as a result there is much rushing about. There is a large 

 pod of pups on the outer edge of the mass into which a bull steps. The center of the 

 sand flat is covered with idle bulls, though there are few females near it. Pups are 

 beginning to stray out, and 2 are seen which have been trampled to death. 



